Testing for mold involves a combination of visual inspection and testing in order to determine what types of mold and how much exist in your home.

First, do a visual inspection that includes:

1. Check Locations Mold Usually Grows: Look for mold in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and around windows and pipes. Also, check areas where you’ve had water problems in the past.
2. Look for Discoloration: Mold often appears as black, green, white, or gray patches on walls, ceilings, floors, or furniture. It can also look like fuzzy or slimy spots.
3. Smell for Musty Odors: Mold often has a distinctive musty smell. If you notice this odor, it could indicate the presence of mold, even if it’s not visible.
4. Inspect Hidden Areas: Check behind furniture, window coverings, under sinks, and in other hidden areas where moisture might accumulate.

Even if you don’t find something that looks (or smells) like mold during your visual inspection, you may still want to test. And there are two ways to do that: DIY or by hiring a professional.

DIY (Do It Yourself) Testing

1. Mold Test Kits: Purchase a mold test kit from a hardware store or online. Be sure to follow the directions that accompany these kits carefully. DIY kits typically involve leaving a Petri dish open on a flat surface in the areas of concern over a period of time, which allows for mold spores to land on them. You’ll then send the sample dishes to a lab for analysis. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.

Professional Testing

1. Hire a Mold Inspector: If you suspect a mold problem – or simply want peace of mind – hire a mold inspector. They have specialized tools and expertise to conduct thorough inspections and identify clues that can indicate hidden mold.
2. Moisture Meters and Infrared Cameras: Professionals use moisture meters to detect moisture in walls, floors, and other areas; and infrared cameras to identify temperature differences that may indicate areas of moisture and potential mold growth.
3. Lab Analysis: Professionals can take air samples and also samples of visible mold and send them to a lab for detailed analysis. This analysis will identify the types and concentrations of mold that are present in the home.

Additional Considerations

1. Identify Moisture Sources: Regardless of the test results, identifying and addressing sources of moisture is crucial to prevent mold growth. Eliminate leaks, improve ventilation, and manage humidity levels.
2. Health Symptoms: If you or anyone in your household is experiencing unexplained allergic reactions, respiratory issues, or other health problems, consider testing for mold even if it’s not visible.

What to Do if Mold is Found

(After Eliminating the Source of Moisture)

1. Small Areas: For small moldy areas (less than 10 square feet), you can usually clean them yourself using fungicides found at your local hardware store or online. Just be sure to wear any protective gear recommended on the container.
2. Large Areas: For larger areas of mold growth or large concentrations of molds, it’s best to hire a professional mold remediation company. Most companies will want to review the mold analysis reports you have so that they can come up with a plan for eliminating the growth.
3. Preventive Measures: After remediation, take preventive measures to avoid future mold growth, such as maintaining low indoor humidity, fixing leaks promptly, and ensuring proper ventilation.

Testing for mold helps you identify and address mold issues promptly. It can also provide peace of mind if you are concerned about mold – even if you don’t think there is a problem in your home.